Shades of Happy Orange...
Heater
I finally went to Argos on Saturday to buy a mini oil radiator to put under my desk. My freezing days are finally over!!
LSO
Thanks to YS, I got to attend a LSO concert in Barbican on Saturday. It's a pity that the performance was the last of the Beethoven series or I would have attended them all. The orchestra played the technically demanding Trio Concerto and the Symphony No.6 so perfectly and beautifully that I felt it surpassed any of the RPO concerts I have been to. If this was not world class performance, I don't know what else is. Frankly speaking, the acoustics of the Barbican concert hall was much better than the Royal Albert Hall where I go for most concerts, so I will have to catch a RPO concert at Barbican as well in order to make a fair judgement.
Right on!
When buying presents and cards for one another, there are bound to be hits and misses and some in-betweens. Last week MX really surprised me by getting me something that I like totally and absolutely. A 100% Hit! It's just a hand phone trinket that he picked out on the recent trip but the size, colour, symbolism, practicality... everything was perfect. Well, accompanying it were a pair of black and red tinkling squashy demons that are more HIS TYPE of toys but they do look quite cute hanging side by side on my partition. They shall be my stress relievers. I've got permission to torture them and that's what I'm going to do when I'm mad.... bish-bash-grrrrr...
Blues....
No Cooling water
My machine tripped again this morning because there was no water supply to the lab. There used to be 4 pumps, but the building management decided to have only 2 to cut costs. The main pump was overworked and retired months ago and since then we were running on the backup pump. This poor thing had to supply water not only to half of our building but also service the new faculty building as well. It has been tripping so regularly that the maintenance guy was able to 'assure' me in a factual tone that "Oh, this is absolutely normal. It happens once or twice every week". Nice. Hmm... does anyone realise that NORMAL water pumps do NOT quit on a weekly basis.
The Blame Game
Some weeks ago I went over to another department to do some C-scans. The person in charge was very kind as to show me how to use it and also helped me change the probe when I had problems with the resolution on thicker panels. When he was operating the equipment to test if the new probe works, something loose fell into the tank and broke the glass panel. He got his fingers cut when he reached into the tank to pick up the fallen object and I felt really sorry for him then. Today, I got an email from my supervisor asking for the details of that accident. Apparently, my lab tech received an email requesting payment for the broken glass panel...
" have to inform you that a Mech Eng student has, albeit by accident, has caused the glass plate in the bottom of the c-scan tank to crack/break."
Why not ask me or my supervisor directly for compensation if it was my fault? Why not just name me directly? Why try explain for me... err... "albeit by accident"? That's really very kind, thank you.
I have given my supervisor the details and I am leaving it to him to handle this. Maybe I am being defensive and can't see the full picture right now but I have been pondering over this question the whole morning:
If the demonstrator broke something when showing the new user how to operate an equipment, who should pay for the damage?
I feel that we should not be paying for the damage at all as I did not cause the glass to break. But since it was my panels being scanned, and in order not to sour relations, I suppose it may be fair to pay for half the cost of the glass pane, but not the entire pane. I am unhappy because I feel that just because I am a student, I have been made a convenient scapegoat. It's just money that they want for replacing the panel. Ask or get money by charging us for the use of the c-scan. Please be fair and don't accuse me of something I did not do.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Dishwashing Liquids
My colleague, J, was researching on asthmatic causes and cures and told me a shocking use for dishwashing liquids. Apparently, one of the methods doctors use to clear blocked airways on babies during an asthma attack is by pumping fairy liquid into their lungs and then flushing out the soap quickly!
According to J, the surfactant in fairy liquid would spread out to form a very thin coating on the air passages and aveoli (tiny air sacs), reducing the surface tension and keeping the airways relaxed and open so that air can get in.
The theory sounds pretty acceptable to me but I’m not sure if medical practitioners do actually use any type of dishwashing liquids as a source of surfactant. I certainly hope doctors out there are using an alternative form of surfactant that has been clinically approved. Washing liquid is just too much for my vivid imagination. *shivers*
I suppose the use of dishwashing liquid is not entirely impossible, maybe it is even a First Aid method which I have not heard of. Faced with a situation where the baby in your care has stopped breathing during an asthma attack, and knowing that the nearest hospital is an hour’s drive away, would you administer first aid with soapy water? I suppose death via poisoning would take longer than suffocation and if you know of this option, you would actually, seriously, contemplate this choice indeed.
If I ever have a baby with asthma, I’ll tell the doc to do whatever he needs to do to keep my child alive but spare me the specifics cos I’ll probably go crazing visualizing someone pour soap down my baby’s throat!
[Disclaimer: Information provided here has not been verified! If you have a child at home who has a blocked airway, please seek professional medical help immediately and do not attempt anything stupid.]
According to J, the surfactant in fairy liquid would spread out to form a very thin coating on the air passages and aveoli (tiny air sacs), reducing the surface tension and keeping the airways relaxed and open so that air can get in.
The theory sounds pretty acceptable to me but I’m not sure if medical practitioners do actually use any type of dishwashing liquids as a source of surfactant. I certainly hope doctors out there are using an alternative form of surfactant that has been clinically approved. Washing liquid is just too much for my vivid imagination. *shivers*
I suppose the use of dishwashing liquid is not entirely impossible, maybe it is even a First Aid method which I have not heard of. Faced with a situation where the baby in your care has stopped breathing during an asthma attack, and knowing that the nearest hospital is an hour’s drive away, would you administer first aid with soapy water? I suppose death via poisoning would take longer than suffocation and if you know of this option, you would actually, seriously, contemplate this choice indeed.
If I ever have a baby with asthma, I’ll tell the doc to do whatever he needs to do to keep my child alive but spare me the specifics cos I’ll probably go crazing visualizing someone pour soap down my baby’s throat!
[Disclaimer: Information provided here has not been verified! If you have a child at home who has a blocked airway, please seek professional medical help immediately and do not attempt anything stupid.]
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Rudolph Factory
If there is one place in London that produces Rudolph impersonators more than a month before Christmas, it has to be my lab.
Anyone in there for more than 15 minutes will come out with a red nose - mostly runny, accompanied by rosy cheeks for more permanent residents in the lab. And most will exhale and smile on exit, unable to mask their relief and delight in leaving the human freezing chamber.
A fire door separates our working world into the two hemispheres, warm summer climate on one side, and cold freezing winter on the other. Unfortunately, our working labs belongs to the less welcoming climate.
There are heaters, but they have either retired, or just warm to the touch. The ventilation fan which draws in the 5ºC air from outside is the single most important yet most hated device, because without it, we will not be protected from carcinogenic volatiles, yet because our heaters have not been working for the past 3 winters, we're effectively working in outdoors temperatures.
There were 3 huge ovens running in the bonding lab today, I took the trouble to wear 2 layers but I still could not prevent my hands turning red from indoor frostbite. In fact, I can barely feel my toes.
Why does my workplace, the place that me and my colleagues spend at least 7 hours a day, have to be a torture chamber? *sob sob*
Anyone in there for more than 15 minutes will come out with a red nose - mostly runny, accompanied by rosy cheeks for more permanent residents in the lab. And most will exhale and smile on exit, unable to mask their relief and delight in leaving the human freezing chamber.
A fire door separates our working world into the two hemispheres, warm summer climate on one side, and cold freezing winter on the other. Unfortunately, our working labs belongs to the less welcoming climate.
There are heaters, but they have either retired, or just warm to the touch. The ventilation fan which draws in the 5ºC air from outside is the single most important yet most hated device, because without it, we will not be protected from carcinogenic volatiles, yet because our heaters have not been working for the past 3 winters, we're effectively working in outdoors temperatures.
There were 3 huge ovens running in the bonding lab today, I took the trouble to wear 2 layers but I still could not prevent my hands turning red from indoor frostbite. In fact, I can barely feel my toes.
Why does my workplace, the place that me and my colleagues spend at least 7 hours a day, have to be a torture chamber? *sob sob*
Friday, November 11, 2005
His and Hers
[Warning: sense of humour essential! un peu controversé, may be a tee too offensive to half the world's population]
This came into my mailbox today, courtesy of V…
“ Okay, Okay, it *finally* all makes sense now... I never looked at it this way before:
MENtal illness
MENstrual cramps
MENtal breakdown
MENopause
GUYnocologist
AND
When we have REAL trouble, it's a HISterectomy.
Ever notice how all of women's problems start with MEN?
Send this to all the women you know to brighten their day.
Send this to all the men just to annoy them…. ”
I know what's proclaimed here is a bit unfair coz I can think of instant retorts like HERnia, HEReditary dysfunctions, HERrmann’s syndrome and even HERpes, which no doubt some guys will waste no time in shooting back. But generally speaking, lots of women’s problems DO start with men. Son/ brother/ father/ boyfriends/ girlfriend's boyfriends/ guyfriends/ gay friends... yadar yadar... right ladies?
No wonder such kitchenwares are invented…
This came into my mailbox today, courtesy of V…
“ Okay, Okay, it *finally* all makes sense now... I never looked at it this way before:
MENtal illness
MENstrual cramps
MENtal breakdown
MENopause
GUYnocologist
AND
When we have REAL trouble, it's a HISterectomy.
Ever notice how all of women's problems start with MEN?
Send this to all the women you know to brighten their day.
Send this to all the men just to annoy them…. ”
I know what's proclaimed here is a bit unfair coz I can think of instant retorts like HERnia, HEReditary dysfunctions, HERrmann’s syndrome and even HERpes, which no doubt some guys will waste no time in shooting back. But generally speaking, lots of women’s problems DO start with men. Son/ brother/ father/ boyfriends/ girlfriend's boyfriends/ guyfriends/ gay friends... yadar yadar... right ladies?
No wonder such kitchenwares are invented…
Yes, guys guys, don’t be shocked. This is an actual ‘award winning’ design by an Italian named Raffaele Iannello and it is out in the market selling for £59.95!! It’s known as the voodoo doll in some shops but this particular website decides to name it the "All men are bastards knife block", and it is actually selling, so I can only assume that some ladies must be using it to get a kick out of watching their ex-('s) reaction when being invited over for dinner!
Hey, relax, it's Friday, have a laugh... just sharing some fine things =) Don't take it too seriously okay?
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Way to start a day
Friendly Mistake
This morning I met two girls who looked exactly like 2 other college friends of mine from the back... their hair colour, hair style, walking style, body shape were so identical that I did not have the slightest doubt. Although I found it a bit strange that they would be walking from the direction of Earl's Court, I went up to pat one of the ladies back nonetheless with a cheery "Good morning Sabine!". They turned out to be American tourists.
Rojak Dream
I made a motivational bet with SJ last night. Person who arrives later in their respective office today would treat the other person popcorn the next time we go to the movies. So I guess I didn't sleep really deeply and started having a concoction of dreams. Can't remember exactly what went on... there were flashes of Singapore life, friends, class outing, etc, but the last bit was so funny that it woke me up. Somehow I dreamt of my Thai friends B and N bringing us around Brighton (we promised to visit them) and then my cousin J'e appeared and toured with us. When we reached a place with loads of sofas (definitely not a living room, more like a showroom really), the girls sat down to rest and for no particular reason, my cousin challenged N to a sword fighting duel. N jumped up like he couldn't wait a minute longer and they started duelling and doing crazy somersaults (like the little boy in Notting Hill who was supposed to be a fantastic gymnast - I've just watched the deleted scenes from the movie) with fencing swords in their hands... rolling, taking cover and jumping all over the sofas (err, did I watched too much Zorro too?)... I laughed so hard that I heard myself laughing and woke up, still couldn't stop laughing. Hope I wasn't too loud. My neighbour might think I'm crazy. *LOL*
Maybe I am. *LOL*
This morning I met two girls who looked exactly like 2 other college friends of mine from the back... their hair colour, hair style, walking style, body shape were so identical that I did not have the slightest doubt. Although I found it a bit strange that they would be walking from the direction of Earl's Court, I went up to pat one of the ladies back nonetheless with a cheery "Good morning Sabine!". They turned out to be American tourists.
Rojak Dream
I made a motivational bet with SJ last night. Person who arrives later in their respective office today would treat the other person popcorn the next time we go to the movies. So I guess I didn't sleep really deeply and started having a concoction of dreams. Can't remember exactly what went on... there were flashes of Singapore life, friends, class outing, etc, but the last bit was so funny that it woke me up. Somehow I dreamt of my Thai friends B and N bringing us around Brighton (we promised to visit them) and then my cousin J'e appeared and toured with us. When we reached a place with loads of sofas (definitely not a living room, more like a showroom really), the girls sat down to rest and for no particular reason, my cousin challenged N to a sword fighting duel. N jumped up like he couldn't wait a minute longer and they started duelling and doing crazy somersaults (like the little boy in Notting Hill who was supposed to be a fantastic gymnast - I've just watched the deleted scenes from the movie) with fencing swords in their hands... rolling, taking cover and jumping all over the sofas (err, did I watched too much Zorro too?)... I laughed so hard that I heard myself laughing and woke up, still couldn't stop laughing. Hope I wasn't too loud. My neighbour might think I'm crazy. *LOL*
Maybe I am. *LOL*
Monday, November 07, 2005
Wasted
Wasted.
Another day.
Just because... my lab partner's bike tire punctured this morning, hence he was late.
Just because... I couldn't start because he held the keys to the cabinet which stores the equipments we need.
Just because... after he arrived, my lab partner and I kept popping into different labs, looking for each other throughout the morning.
Just because... I was constantly diverted to his voicemail, he didn't reply to my sms, called his office but he was not in.
Just because... we only managed to locate each other when I went back to office to email him at 1130.
Just because... finally at noon, we met in the lab but he realised that he left an important coupling at home.
Just because... he had to cycle home to get it (which I'm very very grateful for, otherwise I could not have gotten everything set up this afternoon and commence testing tomorrow)
Just because... I spent 2 hours after lunch setting up the lighting, background, various maxillary equipments and configuring the machine.
Just because... lab closes at 4.30pm but I was asked to pack up at 4pm.
I want to work, but work doesn't get done and 8 hours just slips by effortlessly.
Freaking irritating.
Another day.
Just because... my lab partner's bike tire punctured this morning, hence he was late.
Just because... I couldn't start because he held the keys to the cabinet which stores the equipments we need.
Just because... after he arrived, my lab partner and I kept popping into different labs, looking for each other throughout the morning.
Just because... I was constantly diverted to his voicemail, he didn't reply to my sms, called his office but he was not in.
Just because... we only managed to locate each other when I went back to office to email him at 1130.
Just because... finally at noon, we met in the lab but he realised that he left an important coupling at home.
Just because... he had to cycle home to get it (which I'm very very grateful for, otherwise I could not have gotten everything set up this afternoon and commence testing tomorrow)
Just because... I spent 2 hours after lunch setting up the lighting, background, various maxillary equipments and configuring the machine.
Just because... lab closes at 4.30pm but I was asked to pack up at 4pm.
I want to work, but work doesn't get done and 8 hours just slips by effortlessly.
Freaking irritating.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Knee Pains
I shall try to stop teasing someone about his knee pain after today.
After running my usual 2.5 miles last night, I got a taste of what old age might be like. My right knee hurts particularly badly whenever I climb the stairs. At this rate, I might need invasive help before I'm 30.
Should I start using knee supports? Don't really like them because they tend to restrict movement and sometimes bloodflow. I'll risk spraining my ankle again if I lose feeling to my feet.
Or consider cupping therapy ?
After running my usual 2.5 miles last night, I got a taste of what old age might be like. My right knee hurts particularly badly whenever I climb the stairs. At this rate, I might need invasive help before I'm 30.
Should I start using knee supports? Don't really like them because they tend to restrict movement and sometimes bloodflow. I'll risk spraining my ankle again if I lose feeling to my feet.Or consider cupping therapy ?
Zorro'05
Caught the Legend of Zorro with YS last night and oh boy, it was SO good. Haven't laughed so much in ages. The lines are funny and I enjoyed every moment of it. In fact, I'm planning to watch it again with J or LP, perhaps sometime later this week.
And, I was charmed by this beautiful boy actor - Adrian Alonso. Think he is born in 1994 which makes him 11 years old, but he can sure act. Never saw a more expressive face in a child actor and also his cheeky grins and bright eyes just makes me want to ruffle his hair and play hide and seek with him. If I have a son like that I'll quit my job and stay home... *LOL*.... just dreaming....
Awww.... cute right? ... and he can put up a good fight too and do back flips, etc... the directors really created an awesome character out of him....
Another film:
I found Tim Burton's Corpse Bride quite a disappointment though, the funny bits not funny enough, scary parts not scary enough and the romantic part not romantic enough. I remembered being more impressed with the sound system in the shaftsbury cinema than the film... haha...
Anyway, if you have time for only 1 movie, I highly recommend ZORRO!! Lots of action and punch lines - you'll not be disappointed. =)
And, I was charmed by this beautiful boy actor - Adrian Alonso. Think he is born in 1994 which makes him 11 years old, but he can sure act. Never saw a more expressive face in a child actor and also his cheeky grins and bright eyes just makes me want to ruffle his hair and play hide and seek with him. If I have a son like that I'll quit my job and stay home... *LOL*.... just dreaming....
Awww.... cute right? ... and he can put up a good fight too and do back flips, etc... the directors really created an awesome character out of him....Another film:
I found Tim Burton's Corpse Bride quite a disappointment though, the funny bits not funny enough, scary parts not scary enough and the romantic part not romantic enough. I remembered being more impressed with the sound system in the shaftsbury cinema than the film... haha...
Anyway, if you have time for only 1 movie, I highly recommend ZORRO!! Lots of action and punch lines - you'll not be disappointed. =)
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